United for Drug Policy Reform activists joined several thousand teachers, students and community members on Friday, May 13th in San Francisco's "State of Emergency" rally to protest more cuts to California's education budget.

Fund People Not Prisons! Money for Education. Healthcare and Social Services!

United for Drug Policy Reform activists joined several thousand teachers, students and community members on Friday, May 13th in San Francisco's "State of Emergency" rally to protest more cuts to California's education budget.

Under the banner "Fund People Not Prisons!" UDPR activists demand money spent on California's billion dollar prison budget be spent on education, healthcare and social services.

The California budget crisis continues to be played out on the backs of poor and working people. Billions of dollars have already been cut from education, healthcare and vital social services, cuts that will close more schools, community clinics, childcare facilities and services for our most vulnerable, sick, disabled and elderly. The State continues to sacrifice programs that support our communities in exchange for tax policies that favor the wealthy, corporations and the largest, costliest prison system in the world

California spends billions maintaining its police, jails and prison system. California outspends all other states on incarceration and yet ranks only 48 on the amount it spends on education. It is criminal that while California builds more jails and prisons, it lays off teachers, closes down schools and incarcerates our youth.

We need a California budget that shifts its budget priorities away from police, jails and prisons and towards education, jobs, housing, healthcare and drug treatment- programs that actually strengthen and support our communities!

United for Drug Policy Reform is a grassroots, volunteer-based organization. Our membes range from persons with addictions to regular people who care about reducing stigma and saving tax dollars through evidence based drug policy. Help us by lending your voice of sanity to the drug policy debate! Visit our website http://www.drugpolicyreform.org for more information on how you can get involved. Look for us on facebook!